The International Symposium on Optical Memory (ISOM) 2004 is currently being held on Jeju Island, a resort in Korea.

At the symposium, held October 11-15, 2004 next-generation optical disc formats such as Blu-ray Disc (BD) and HD DVD, as well as other technologies like near-field optics and holographic memories.

Sony Corp is expected to conduct a technical session on its 8-layer 200GB read-only media using the BD structure. The BD format can expand the memory layer up to 8 layers on one side, but the session is expected to shed light on its feasibility in the future. Sony is also expected to introduce its technology to boost the capacity of single-layer media to 35GB and more by using signal processing technologies such as PRML.

And Pioneer Corp, for example, is to hold a session on the layouts of objective lenses against an optical pick-up head, which supports BD, DVD and CD media.

Samsung Electronics Co Ltd, meanwhile, is to report on its CD/DVD-compatible BD actuator, the response of which is fast enough for high-speed recording.

Among the next-generation optical disc technologies, expectations are increasing for holographic technologies, and reports on their advancement are likely to be a key focus at the symposium. For instance, Optware Corp is planning to report on the tolerance, among other data, when the wavelengths of the recording/reconstruction optical source change in channels. InPhase Technologies Inc of the US is also likely to offer its latest advancements and roadmap. Daewoo Electronics Corp, a Korean home appliances manufacturer, is to disclose its correction technologies, while Toagosei Co Ltd is planning to exhibit its evaluations on media. Many sessions on near-field optics, such as Super-RENS, are also scheduled.